Have you ever felt anxiety, grief, or shame bubbling up and immediately reached for your phone, a drink, or a distraction? That instinct to push away painful feelings is completely normal – but what if that very avoidance is keeping you trapped in unhealthy patterns? In this illuminating episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric dive into the world of emotional avoidance and reveal why our natural tendency to escape discomfort might be sabotaging our mental health and recovery. Whe...
Apr 03, 2025•22 min
Join us on an enlightening journey with award-winning author and journalist Julia Hotz, who shares her insights into the world of social prescribing. Julia's groundbreaking book, "The Connection Cure," reveals the transformative power of community activities like art classes and fishing clubs, which foster meaningful connections crucial for tackling addiction and mental health challenges. Inspired by the UK's Minister of Loneliness, Julia highlights the immense health risks of isolation, compari...
Apr 02, 2025•45 min
Have you ever experienced something so painful that you just wanted to erase it from your memory forever? Those "never again" moments that feel too heavy to carry? We all have them – whether it's a relapse, a toxic relationship, or a betrayal that left us wounded. In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, hosts Duane and Eric explore the practice of "benefit finding" – a transformative approach to mining our painful experiences for growth and wisdom. Instead of pushing away difficul...
Mar 27, 2025•24 min
Our guest on this episode of the Addicted Mind podcast is Jack Bloomfield, a specialist in the ARISE model of interventions. This model is an alternative to the “traditional” form of confrontational interventions created in the 1960s by Dr. Johnson. In this confrontational model, the focus is very much on the addict, usually involving an ambush-type situation where several family members trick the addict into coming to a certain location where they are presented with some type of “go to rehab to...
Mar 24, 2025•29 min
In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric dive deep into the unspoken roles that families often fall into, especially when dealing with addiction. They explore how these roles—like the hero, caretaker, scapegoat, mascot, and lost child—can perpetuate dysfunction and hinder recovery. By understanding and identifying these roles, you can begin to break free from the cycles that keep you stuck. Tune in to learn practical steps for recognizing these dynamics, fostering open communica...
Mar 20, 2025•28 min
Discover the profound insights of Dr. Frederic Luskin, renowned psychologist and director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project, as he unpacks the powerful role forgiveness plays in our lives. Alongside him, former Episcopal priest, Lyndon Harris shares his compelling journey of healing after the 9/11 tragedy, illustrating the transformative power of forgiveness. Together, they share personal narratives and professional insights that highlight forgiveness as a vital skill for mental and emotional ...
Mar 17, 2025•47 min•Ep. 325
Have you ever thought, "I've tried recovery before and failed—why try again?" or "This is just who I am"? These beliefs might be the biggest barrier to lasting recovery. In this solo episode, licensed therapist Duane Osterlind shares how a growth mindset can transform your recovery journey. Drawing from Dr. Carol Dweck's research, Duane explains how viewing your abilities and capacity for recovery as things that can grow and change (rather than fixed traits) makes all the difference. Recovery is...
Mar 13, 2025•20 min
High-functioning codependency takes center stage as we welcome licensed psychotherapist and boundary expert Terri Cole to the Addicted Mind podcast. With a unique journey from a talent agent to a psychotherapist, Terri shares her personal experiences and insights from her book, "Too Much: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Codependency." We dive into the world of individuals who seem to manage life with ease yet secretly bear the weight of excessive responsibilities. Terri provide...
Mar 10, 2025•36 min•Ep. 324
Imagine this: You're in the middle of a stressful moment. Your heart races, shame creeps in, and that familiar voice in your head starts up again: "I'm a failure. I'll never change." What if you could stop this spiral with just a few powerful words? In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric explore how creating a personal positive mantra can transform your recovery journey. These simple phrases aren't just feel-good statements—they're powerful tools backed by science that c...
Mar 06, 2025•20 min
Unlock the secret to healing from betrayal as Eddie Caparucci, a seasoned counselor, guides us through the transformative power of inner child work. Gain insights from Eddie as he unravels the intricate tapestry of trauma, betrayal, and recovery. Eddie’s latest book offers a lifeline to those grappling with the pain of infidelity, drawing connections between unresolved childhood wounds and present-day struggles. Together with his wife, Teri, they illuminate a path towards reclaiming one's sense ...
Mar 03, 2025•48 min•Ep. 323
What drives you forward when recovery gets tough? In this powerful follow-up to their episode on values, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the concept of "meaning making" – the essential fuel that powers your journey toward your most important goals. Have you ever achieved something you thought would make you happy, only to feel empty afterward? Or felt stuck in life despite doing everything "right"? This episode explores why so many people – even successful ones – struggle with feeling u...
Feb 27, 2025•19 min
Growing up amidst the chaos of a turbulent family life in Detroit, Dwayne Barnes discovered a lifeline in the form of creative expression. His journey from a tumultuous childhood to the bright lights of Hollywood is nothing short of remarkable. During our conversation, Dwayne opens up about how acting became his sanctuary, a place where he could channel the dysfunction of his upbringing into something beautiful and transformative. His debut book, "Their Eyes Were Never on Me," is a raw explorati...
Feb 24, 2025•44 min•Ep. 322
Are you feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or like you're living someone else's life? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive deep into how unclear values might be sabotaging your recovery and overall well-being. Like a rudder on a boat, your values guide you through life's challenges and decisions. Yet many people in recovery struggle because they haven't identified what truly matters to them. The hosts explore how living without clear values can lead to...
Feb 20, 2025•18 min
When Caitlin Morrison found herself facing the bittersweet task of continuing her brother Matthew Perry's legacy, she embraced it with a deep sense of purpose and resilience. On this episode of the Addicted Mind Podcast, Caitlin joins us to share her poignant journey of supporting a loved one through addiction and how it shaped her work at the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada. Through her story, we unravel the layers of hope, frustration, and the powerful drive to reduce the stigma surrounding...
Feb 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 321
Have you ever felt guilty for missing your addiction, even though you know it was destroying your life? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric explore the often-overlooked emotional journey of grieving your addiction during recovery. They dive deep into why letting go of addiction can feel like losing a best friend – even when that friend was toxic. Using Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's famous five stages of grief as a framework, they explain why these...
Feb 13, 2025•24 min
Our guest on this episode of the Addicted Mind podcast is Lacy Bentley, a recovery mentor, and coach in the areas of love and sex addictions for women. At age 13, Lacy found herself consuming erotic novels and pornographic anime called hentai. She didn’t realize it until much later in life, but her involvement with those types of pornography had created an addiction to the fantasy that affected all of her relationships into adulthood. She developed a pattern of escape and avoidance related to an...
Feb 10, 2025•38 min
What if the walls you built to protect yourself have become your prison? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric explore how sharing our authentic stories can break the chains of shame in recovery. They dive into why many people get stuck in their recovery journey, despite doing "all the right things," and reveal how authentic sharing can be the missing piece. Drawing from both clinical experience and research by Brené Brown, they explain why shame thrives in sil...
Feb 06, 2025•19 min
Suzanne Jessee is with us today to talk about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a relatively new treatment, at least in the United States, for individuals who are struggling with depression. Depression is often present in addiction and TMS is something that may help people that are struggling with addiction and treatment-resistant depression. Suzanne Jesse is the CEO and founder of Anew Era TMS in Huntington Beach, California. To start, Suzanne breaks down what TMS stands for. Tran...
Feb 03, 2025•32 min
In this episode of The Addicted Mind podcast, Eric and Duane dive deep into the often-overlooked topic of perfectionism and its profound impact on recovery journeys. They explore different dimensions of perfectionism, from self-imposed standards to societal expectations, revealing how these can lead to self-criticism and hinder progress. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, they offer practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism, such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and seeking ...
Jan 30, 2025•20 min
Join us for a fascinating exploration of the brain's potential with Dr. Trish Leigh, a cognitive neuroscientist and esteemed neurofeedback practitioner. Dr. Leigh shares her valuable insights on how neurofeedback can be harnessed to combat behavioral addictions such as internet addiction, social media addiction, and even porn addiction. She explains the science of brain mapping and how identifying electrical energy patterns can reveal the underlying issues of a "strained brain" due to the flood ...
Jan 27, 2025•43 min•Ep. 318
Ever feel like something's missing in your recovery journey, even after achieving sobriety? You're not alone. In this powerful episode, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into why finding purpose is crucial for long-term recovery success. Drawing from Viktor Frankl's groundbreaking work and real-world recovery experiences, they explore how purpose acts as a compass for sustained sobriety. The hosts break down practical steps for discovering your unique purpose, addressing common obstacles, and ...
Jan 23, 2025•19 min
Dr. Judson Brewer, a pioneering neuroscientist and addiction specialist, takes us on an exploration of the human brain and its role in addiction and recovery. Dr. Brewer shares his personal journey from medical school to co-founding MindShift Recovery, where evidence-based programs challenge traditional treatments. Drawing from Buddhist psychology, he offers a fresh perspective on addictive behaviors, emphasizing the transformative power of understanding the brain's mechanisms to foster lasting ...
Jan 20, 2025•45 min•Ep. 317
Have you ever felt like your emotions or memories suddenly hijack your hard-earned progress in recovery? You're not alone! In this episode of The Addicted Mind, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind delve deep into the world of triggers, those sneaky culprits that can either strengthen or challenge our recovery journey. Discover the four main categories of triggers: environmental, emotional, physical, and cognitive, and learn how to identify and navigate them effectively. Duane and Eric share the groun...
Jan 16, 2025•21 min
Join us as we welcome Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher from Stanford University, an esteemed expert in adolescent health, who brings her wealth of knowledge to our conversation on the Addicted Mind Podcast. We focus on the heightened sensitivity of the adolescent brain to addiction, particularly when it comes to substances like nicotine and THC found in e-cigarettes and vaping. Dr. Halpern-Felsher shares her groundbreaking research and advocacy efforts, stressing the necessity of addressing these issu...
Jan 13, 2025•40 min•Ep. 316
Ever lie awake at night, desperately trying to force yourself to sleep, only to find yourself more awake than ever? This common experience reveals a fascinating paradox about control in our lives. In this transformative episode, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore why our attempts to control certain aspects of life often backfire, leading to increased anxiety and stress. Through compelling research and practical insights, they reveal how understanding the difference between what we can and ca...
Jan 09, 2025•18 min
Decima Davis once believed she had found a miracle in Kratom—a natural supplement that seemed to promise relief from her battles with opioid withdrawal. She wasn't alone in her hope; many, like Decima, were drawn to Kratom during the opioid crisis, fooled by its marketing as a safer alternative. But Decima's story took a different turn, and today, as the founder of the Quitting Kratom Support Organization, she reveals the hidden dangers of Kratom addiction. Her candid account sheds light on the ...
Jan 07, 2025•36 min•Ep. 312
Are you constantly saying "yes" to everyone else's needs while your recovery takes a backseat? In this eye-opening episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, host Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind dive deep into the four fundamental types of boundaries that can revolutionize your recovery journey. Many people struggle with feeling selfish about setting boundaries, but as this episode reveals, boundaries aren't just about saying "no" – they're about creating a protective space where your healing can flo...
Jan 02, 2025•20 min
On this episode of The Addicted Mind podcast, my guest is Kay Simmeth, a Marriage and Family Therapist certified in EMDR. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a type of bilateral stimulation that activates both sides of the body and both sides of the brain. This dual action process of tapping on the client’s knees back and forth, listening to music or sounds that alternate between headphones, or feeling vibrations in alternating hands, the frontal cortex and the amygdala are both act...
Dec 30, 2024•33 min
When dealing with addiction, whether you’re addicted to alcohol, drugs, porn, food, or whatever it is, one of the most effective ways to achieve recovery is by going all the way back to your inner child and figuring out what triggers your pain points so you can eventually take mindful action. Author and licensed professional counselor, Eddie Capparucci, who specializes in the treatment of sex and pornography addiction, created the inner child recovery process to help people struggling with addic...
Dec 23, 2024•42 min•Ep. 313
Ever feel like you're carrying a secret that's too heavy to share? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore why sharing our authentic stories is crucial for lasting recovery. They dive into how keeping parts of ourselves hidden can actually deepen our isolation, while taking careful steps to share with trusted others can create profound healing. Drawing from the wisdom of pioneering psychotherapist Carl Rogers, they discuss how genuine connection...
Dec 19, 2024•19 min
